cannonballs....

[M ELEY]

Here's an early grenado, perhaps, 1600's. It is roughly the size of a plum. Gilkerson, in Boarders Away II, says that these came in two sizes. Mine appears to be an 'Army' type, whereas naval grenados were larger, perhaps the size of a large orange. I know there are other shells with powder that were used like hand grenades, but the standard pattern 'easy to throw' types are the previously mentioned sizes. Mine has the distinction of still being filled to the rim with old congealed powder and shot (you can look down the hole and see it). As black powder can last for centuries, I keep this item in this highly protective plastic casing to shelter me if it explodes ()! Actually, it is just to keep it dry. It is stored in a shadowy corner of my cabinet and I've used melted candle wax to 'seal it' as I have every belief that it is still techniquely explosive. But I won't go throwing it in any campfires any time soon!